News, notes and reader questions about the San Francisco 49ers

April 1, 2009

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez reportedly had an outstanding workout at the Trojans' pro day today in Los Angeles. Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan were on hand for the event but apparently they haven't seen enough. The 49ers will host Sanchez on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Other potential No. 10 picks the 49ers will host include Boston College NT B.J. Raji and, according to Matt Maiocco, Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree and Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher.

Many draft "experts" have predicted the 49ers -- who have no clear starter at QB -- will select Sanchez at No. 10. Nowadays, however, it seems like Sanchez might not last that long. The Jacksonville Jaguars, owners of the eighth overall pick, had dinner with Sanchez Tuesday night in L.A. (Jack Del Rio is a former Trojan) and Sanchez's workout today was reportedly better than the one Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, heretofore the presumed No. 1 pick, had last month in Athens, Ga.

When Singletary was asked about the quarterback position at the team's "state of the franchise" event in February, he didn't seem that high on adding Sanchez or any rookie quarterback. "In the draft or free agency, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot out there," Singletary said at the time. Asked if that meant he was ruling out a QB with the No. 10 pick, this is how Singletary responded. "You know what, that's something we'd have to talk long and hard about. Actually, yeah, there'd be a lot of conversation on that deal."

Singletary obviously changed his mind about adding a free-agent QB. (See: Warner, Kurt; the romance of). And he could certainly change his mind about Sanchez. In any event, the 49ers are wise to show interest. In Sanchez does fall to 10 on April 25, there will be plenty of teams clamoring to grab him, creating an opportunity to trade down. Who knows, maybe the Broncos will still be stuck with unhappy Jay Cutler on draft day and will be willing to make a deal ...

MATTHEW BARROWS

Matt was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green.